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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

Entertainment Weekly reports that NBC has ordered a pilot for a new astronaut-themed series by comedian Will Ferrell.

The potential NBC series is titled "Mission Control" and it's set in 1962. The official description: "A workplace ensemble in the tone of 'Anchorman' examines what happens when a strong woman butts heads with a macho astronaut in the race to land on the moon."

Executive producers include Ferrell and his production partner Adam McKay, who also directed both Anchorman films. David Hornsby ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") as pilot showrunner.

dabolton

"I Dream of Jeannie" remake? I personally don't hold high hopes for this.

Hart Sastrowardoyo

1960s, strong woman butts heads? She gets demoted or fired. Be interesting to see the pilot/first episode. Be disappointing if they essentially set Anchorman a decade earlier.

Fra Mauro

Sounds like a waste of time. Unsealed Alien Files is more interesting!

onesmallstep

Actually, it could be an interesting series if it's a mix of Mad Men/The Right Stuff with comedy. Will they base the characters on real astronauts (paging Pete Conrad and Wally Schirra look-alikes) and make it a satire or broad comedy? We'll have to see.

As for strong women characters set in that era; I can think of a couple that could be used as 'based on': Dee O'Hara comes to mind, also the late artist Cece Bibby. Lots of opportunity for a 'war of the sexes'-type show. I'm surprised they didn't set it in, say, '65 or '66, during the height of Gemini-at least they would have more footage to work with, and with a possible bonus of maybe filming scenes in the actual, original MOCR at JSC (or MSC as it was known then).

Peter downunder

I don't think it would be a broad comedy if it's anything like "It's Always Sunny..." A terrific, if slightly off the wall comedy.

Ritter is finalizing a deal for Mission Control, from executive producers Adam McKay and Will Ferrell and writer David Hornsby.

Ritter also will serve as a producer on the project, a workplace ensemble is set in 1962 that examines what happens when a strong woman (Ritter) butts heads with a macho astronaut in the race to land on the moon.

J.L

Will smoking be a requirement for this Mission Control? Details... details.

Houston, we have a problem! Dr. Mary Kendricks (Krysten Ritter, "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23") is a tough but brilliant aerospace engineer, leading a team of NASA scientists at the cutting edge of space exploration. The only problem is, this is the 1960s and she's a woman. Navigating the ridiculous boys' club of astronauts and engineering nerds is no easy task, but she's up to the challenge... until her boss brings on Tom (Tommy Dewey, "The Mindy Project") - a former hotshot test pilot and overall man's man — to co-manage her team. It doesn't help that he initially mistakes her for a secretary. Between him, her astronaut boyfriend Cash and her offbeat all-guy team, Mary certainly has her hands full... but at the end of the day, they all want the same thing: to get a man on the moon. It might just take a woman to get him there.

From Executive Producers Will Ferrell and Adam McKay ("Anchorman," "Step Brothers," "Talladega Nights") comes a workplace comedy, in the tone of "Anchorman," about the golden age of American ingenuity and space travel... if they can just get their ship together.

onesmallstep

Hmm. I see they got the hairstyles, pocket protectors, and NASA 'meatball' right — but the rocket the guy in blue is holding? Is that an Atlas, or something from a 1950s sci-fi TV show, like Captain Video or Rocky Jones and his Space Rangers? Maybe SpaceX started early.

Robert Pearlman

Actually, if you look closely, that is not the NASA "meatball" insignia. It is based on it, but the red vector looks to be more of a red orbit.

Ironically, the rocket toy appears to be the modern replica of a vintage Hungarian tin toy that celebrated the Soviet Interkosmos missions.

onesmallstep

Ahh, good eye as always Robert (I think I need to go to an optometrist ). I guess that design 'disavows' any involvement/endorsement by the current NASA, since this a purely fictional show.

And the rocket toy; well I guess ASTP got an early start!

chet

Hope the show is entertaining and long lived enough to steer more people to an interest in the early U.S. space program - which means they'll eventually wind up here.

Robert Pearlman

NBC's "Mission Control" has been grounded, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

The space comedy starring Krysten Ritter has been canceled ahead of its anticipated midseason debut, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

...sources tell THR that there were casting issues on the comedy, which underwent some recasting days after it was picked up to series after Michael Rosenbaum exited the series. After issues recasting some of the roles beyond Ritter, NBC ultimately decided to scrap the series completely.

Lou Chinal

Of course there were casting issues, Schirra and Conrad were unavailable. Just like Al (onesmallstep) said.